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ditch

 - 3 dictionary results

ditch

  [dich]
Use ditch in a Sentence
–noun
1. a long, narrow excavation made in the ground by digging, as for draining or irrigating land; trench.
2. any open passage or trench, as a natural channel or waterway.
–verb (used with object)
3. to dig a ditch or ditches in or around.
4. to derail (a train) or drive or force (an automobile, bus, etc.) into a ditch.
5. to crash-land on water and abandon (an airplane).
6. Slang.
a. to get rid of: I ditched that old hat of yours.
b. to escape from: He ditched the cops by driving down an alley.
c. to absent oneself from (school or a class) without permission or an acceptable reason.
–verb (used without object)
7. to dig a ditch.
8. (of an aircraft or its crew) to crash-land in water and abandon the sinking aircraft.
9. Slang. to be truant; play hooky.
Origin:
bef. 900; 1940–45 for def. 5, 1885–90 for def. 6, 1955–60 for def. 9; ME dich, OE dīc; c. G Teich. See dike 1

Related forms:
ditchless, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ditch
ditch   (dĭch)   
n.  A long narrow trench or furrow dug in the ground, as for irrigation, drainage, or a boundary line.
v.   ditched, ditch·ing, ditch·es

v.   tr.

  1. To dig or make a long narrow trench or furrow in.

  2. To surround with a long narrow trench or furrow.

    1. To drive (a vehicle) into a long narrow trench, as one beside a road.

    2. To derail (a train).

    3. To get rid of; discard: ditched the old yard furniture.

    4. To get away from (a person, especially a companion).

    5. To discontinue use of or association with: ditch the job at the hamburger stand.

    6. To skip (class or school).

  4. Slang

    1. To get rid of; discard: ditched the old yard furniture.

    2. To get away from (a person, especially a companion).

    3. To discontinue use of or association with: ditch the job at the hamburger stand.

    4. To skip (class or school).

  5. To crash-land (an aircraft) on water.

v.   intr.

  1. To dig a ditch.

  2. To crash-land in water. Used of an aircraft or a pilot.


[Middle English dich, from Old English dīc; see dhīgw- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

ditch

see last-ditch effort.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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